Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Since 2003 I have spent every single Christmas season in a shopping mall working retail. It is probably one of the worst jobs you could ever have and just when I thought I would finally be getting out of it, I managed to get sucked into it for yet another Christmas season. It constantly amazes me how people lose any sense of dignity as they run from store to store, looking for the best sales in order to impress loved ones with the fanciest gifts. The proof of man's utter depravity can be found at the mall during Christmas time, then there is the greed, the thieves, and the woman dressed in clothes that never match the weather. People run from store to store refusing to greet me as I try to sell them seemingly worthless merchandise...I not only fall victim to taking glory away from Christ, I sort of encourage it. Yep, that's right, when I am not out sharing the Gospel, running the world's leading media ministry (insert sarcasm here), or explaining the Pauline doctrine of Justification to middle schoolers at my church, then I am doing a job that actually rewards me with a paycheck. working at a Mall, doing my part in taking Glory from the Savior.
It's amazing isn't it? How the most significant event in all of history, the moment that was foretold from the very moment sin entered the world, can be overlooked and placed aside so we can buy and sell temporary treasures that are utterly worthless. Now, I sell a good product, it's worth every penny and it's nothing that is unholy, but compared to the Gift that was given to us over two thousand years ago...who cares what I sell at a mall Kiosk.
The meaning of Christmas is far more significant then Santa Clause, pine trees, and Charlie Brown reruns. It's more significant then getting the new iPod, or Nintendo Wii. Christmas is a time to reflect upon the most significant moment in human history, when God took the form of His creation to save us from His judgement. Jesus Christ was born from a virgin, one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God for one reason...to die.
Not for the ones who run from store to store getting gifts for fathers and sons, mothers, and daughters.
Not for the ones who work at those stores;
Not for the food court, or kiosk employees;
Not for the women who do not know how cold it is...
...but for anyone who is willing to repent and humble themselves to this God, this Man, this Jesus. This Jesus who's first breath was contaminated by the stench of animal manure. This Jesus who is ruler of all things but was born into a world where he had to obey his parents...This Jesus who's first nap was splintered by a wooden manger, and last waking moment splintered by a wooden cross. He did this for me...he did this for you.
As we spend dollar after dollar on expensive gifts that have no real value, gifts that break, and gifts that are only as good as their batteries' length--can we please remember, that Jesus, is the one who gave up heaven so that we may get it?
Marcus
PS. Be nice to Mall Employees, they are fallen and depraved too.
This article can be viewed at TheChurchGuide.com
